Chennai/Agartala: Banking operations were hit across Tamil Nadu on Wednesday with officers and employees of 26 public sector banks (PSBs) commencing a two-day nation-wide strike on September 24.
All the nationalised banks in northeastern state of Tripura too were closed in response to the call given by the United Forum of Banks' Unions.
In the state capital Agartala, there was no attendance in the banks and a group of employees were resisting customers to use the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) facility.
The forum is observing the strike to press for among others revision of wages. They are also protesting against merger and consolidation in the sector.
The striking employees are opposing the Government's proposed merger of banks and allowing FDI, among others.
Clearing operations and cash handling in Tamil Nadu were affected in the banks, forcing people to throng ATMs.
With over 10 lakh employees striking work across the country, nearly 62,000 of bank staff of various public sector banks joined the strike in Tamil Nadu.
The convener of United Forum of Bank Unions, C H Venkatachalam told PTI about the large estimated participation in the strike.
Various rallies and union meetings have also been scheduled for the day.
An employee of a private bank told PTI that private banks were functioning as usual.
People have been queuing up outside ATMs of private and public sector banks, fearing they may run dry of cash since the strike is scheduled for two days.
The bank employees have proceeded with their scheduled strike after talks failed with Chief Labour Commissioner, S K Mukhopadhyay in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The Finance Minister P Chidambaram had termed the strike as ‘uncalled for and unjustified’.
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